This can only be a good thing. The fact that everybody from the original trilogy that have spoken so far are so up for it warms my cockles. Hopefully they'll recreate the magic (I don't think there's much doubt about that really). All signs point to this being excellent. If they haven't already discussed it then they should definately make space in the script for him. As Arnie would say "DO EEEEEEEET!"

I'd personally love to see this happen. He was superb as Saruman the White. I found him to be a unique villain. If the part was in another actor's hands, it would probably have been a hammy performance, but with Lee, who is a huge fan of the books, the character was portrayed to perfection.

britesparc -> Very VERY good (4/6/2008 4:24:45 PM)

Considering one of the major events of the Hobbit (spoiler alert! Spoiler alert!) is that Gandalf and the other wizards go off to fight some evil sorcerer (I think he's called the Necromancer or something, and he turns out to be Sauron in LOTR) I've always assumed they'd use this an "excuse" to pad out the Hobbit into two films. Think about it: a massive wizard battle, five good guys against one all-powerful super-bad guy! Then to portray Saruman's fall from grace would be excellent. I do worry slightly about Lee's age though; he's clearly getting on a bit. Hopefully he'll still be full of vim and vigour come 2010 and we can see Saruman kicking arse on the side of the angels.

coljohnmatrix -> (4/6/2008 5:17:47 PM)

Sounds good, apart from the the fact that he'll be nearly 90 by the time this gets going!

Mr. Chumba -> (4/6/2008 5:23:58 PM)

Well obviously this is great news but I'm just terrified he''l die during filming. 86 ! The man deserves a rest! Looks good though, I would have put him at at least 10 years younger based on appearance.

Silvertouch -> WTF? (4/6/2008 5:57:16 PM)

Christopher Lee TURNED DOWN a role?

timkins -> (4/6/2008 6:31:57 PM)

Glen does know The Hobbit isn't going to be two parts, doesn't he? It's been fairly well publisized....

keir -> (4/6/2008 6:42:23 PM)

timkins - shoot me if I'm wrong, but I thought it was fairly well publicized that it WAS going to be two parts?

doctorolorinbats1975 -> (4/6/2008 9:03:42 PM)

The first film will be The Hobbit, the second is presumably about Sauron regaining power and returning to Mordor.

danbo1138 -> be quick GDT (4/6/2008 9:10:27 PM)

GDT best get a wiggle on and film his scenes sharpish,86 is old in anyones book and i would hate for him to 'retire' due to health reasons half way through.love to see him again though.good news indeed.

Wrathschild -> They could record a read through of all his dialogue (4/6/2008 9:16:56 PM)

early so if he dies during filming they can replace him digitally visually. I thought Peter Weir was the best suggestion for these films. Del Toro's ok I guess.

If you're going to pad out The Hobbit into 2 films (as they have said they will be) surely the first place to start would be Gandalf and Saruman teaming up to push the Necromancer of Dol Guldur out of Mirkwood (who turns out to be Sauron and takes up residence in Mordor instead). Its mentioned in passing at the end of the Hobbit and could easily be made large scale and exciting?

boredbluekoala -> Who else can be Saruman? (5/6/2008 12:47:48 AM)

And since we are talking about the guy, shouldn't he be SIR Christopher Lee by now? (unless he's already been offered one and turned it down, which I totally respect by the way)

Halfling -> Right on! (5/6/2008 11:42:30 AM)

Yep, this is the one piece of casting that will be crucial for F2, presuming the writers will be going down that route of the treachery of Saruman. Just as with McKellen, this casting is a no brainer.

frankydisaster -> Sir Christopher Lee (5/6/2008 4:39:11 PM)

Surely Christopher Lee is too evil to be knighted? Only kidding, he is a legend - he can name all the British executioners, speak about seven languages, is the tallest leading man, been in the most on screen sword fights ever, and done loadsa films. I bow down to him.

Bluehawk -> (5/6/2008 9:53:02 PM)

Radagast should be in it!

arastrider -> the istari (7/6/2008 1:37:10 PM)

i think it would be pretty awesome to see Gandalf,Saruman and Radaghast in the hobbit,but who would be a fab Radaghast??